About The Song
A work of great electricity, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is one of the most rousing songs in country music’s history, crossing genre lines and generating career-high milestones for the Charlie Daniels Band. With a wicked instrumental setting and a growling vocal from Daniel, it is an energetic story that continues to captivate audiences.
The song is the story of the devil, “way behind and “willin’ to make a deal” as he searches through Georgia in desperate need of his latest victim. He meets a young fiddle player named Johnny and challenges him to a fiddle duel. Johnny’s soul is the Devil’s possession if he were to lose, but a win would guarantee Johnny the Devil’s gold fiddle. Johnny accepts the Devil’s offer, proudly telling the Devil that he is “the best there’s ever been.”
The duel begins with the Devil performing a rapid-fire piece; however, Johnny matches him fiddle stroke by stroke. After a few rounds, The Devil is squarely defeated by the more talented Johnny after Johnny performs his last spectacular number, “Fire on the Mountain.” The Devil acknowledges being bested and, true to his word, presents Johnny with a gleaming, golden fiddle. As he turns to leave, Johnny tells the Devil that he can return for another battle at any time.
The Devil’s and Johnny’s performances are played as instrumental bridges during the song. Daniels has been approached by fans who felt the Devil played a better piece, and to this he says, “If you dissect it and listen to it, that’s the smoke and mirrors thing about the Devil. There’s just nothing there. I mean, there’s nothing. There’s no music involved.”
“The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was released on the band’s 1979 album Million Mile Reflections, which was prompted to multi-platinum status in the wake of the song’s success. It was the band’s biggest pop hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the country singles chart in August 1979. It was named the CMA Single of the Year at the 1979 ceremony, and also earned a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in February 1980. Although Daniels (a Grand Ole Opry inductee in 2008) experienced even more radio and retail success in the 1980s and continues to perform and record today, his defining moment is this storming sensation of a song, equal parts devilish and divine.
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Lyrics
The Devil went down to Georgia. He was lookin’ for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind ’cause he was way behind. He was willing to make a deal
When he came across this young man sawin’ on a fiddle and playin’ it hot.
And the Devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said “Boy, let me tell you what.”
“I guess you didn’t know it, but I’m a fiddle player, too.
And if you’d care to take a dare I’ll make a bet with you.
Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the Devil his due.
I’ll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul ’cause I think I’m better than you.”
The boy said, “My name’s Johnny, and it might be a sin,
But I’ll take your bet; and you’re gonna regret ’cause I’m the best there’s ever been.”
Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard.
‘Cause Hell’s broke loose in Georgia and the Devil deals it hard.
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold,
But if you lose the devil gets your soul.
The Devil opened up his case and he said, “I’ll start this show.”
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.
And he pulled the bow across the strings and it made an evil hiss.
And a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this.
When the Devil finished, Johnny said, “Well, you’re pretty good ol’ son,
But sit down in that easy chair right there and let me show you how it’s done.”
“Fire on the Mountain.” Run, boys, run!
The Devil’s in the house of the rising sun;
Chicken’s in the bread pan picking out dough.
Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no.
The Devil bowed his head because he knew that he’d been beat.
And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Johnny’s feet.
Johnny said, “Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again,
I done told you once—you son of a bitch—I’m the best that’s ever been.”
“Fire on the Mountain.” Run, boys, run!
The Devil’s in the house of the rising sun;
The chicken’s in the bread pan picking out dough.
Granny, will your dog bite? No, child, no.